10 Popular First Aid Techniques that are Actually Harmful

Last Updated on January 7, 2021

If the choking person is a kid, put them on your forearm with their head down, give them three back blows, and turn them upside down while grabbing their legs.

#4 – Trying to put a joint back in case of dislocation

Only an X-ray can reveal the kind of a dislocation, therefore, the only thing you can do to help is to restrict the person from moving their injured body part. It’s important to keep them it the same position and not try to bend or unbend the injured part.

Try to use some flat and narrow objects to immobilize the injured part and the closest joints. Do not apply bandages to the injured part and make sure to keep them a bit loose to ensure normal circulation.

#3 – Lack of water in case of poisoning

In case of poisoning, the stomach needs to be washed, and to do so, the affected person should drink between 10 and 20 glasses of water. After 2 glasses, the water should spill out. Then, use two fingers to press on the base of their tongue to induce vomiting. Repeat as many times as needed until the water becomes clear.

If the person is unconscious, gastric lavage should be avoided.

#2 – Sucking a snakebite

If someone got bitten by a snake, you should lay them down first to prevent the poison from spreading quickly. Next, you should restrict limb movement: press the injured arm to the body or fasten the affected leg to the other leg. In case the person is unconscious, they’ll need cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Note that, in this case, a tourniquet is not only useless but it can also cause necrosis.

#1 – Taking painkillers or antispasmodics in case of lower abdominal pain